By Jennifer Ortiz
Staff Writer
HOWELL — The Howell Planning Board has approved the construction of a 1,400-square-foot building at the Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, Shore Oaks Drive.
The application was heard at the board’s June 16 meeting.
Engineer Richard DiFolco, representing the applicant, said the building will be constructed near the location where golf lessons are offered to club members. The new building will replace an existing shed.
DiFolco said the one-story building will include a lounge area and restroom. Outdoor lights will not be installed because the facility will be for daytime use only. New employees will not be hired as a result of the new construction. A small parking area will accommodate eight golf carts.
DiFolco said 10- to 12-foot-tall evergreens will be planted to screen the building from a nearby home on Cranberry Road.
Gina Guarini said she lives across from the location of the proposed building. She said she is nervous about the building and parking area. She said the club owns two homes where golf course employees live.
“Workers enjoy parties late at night when the golf course is closed,” she said.
Guarini said she has had two incidents at her home. In one case, she said a golf course employee broke into her home through the kitchen window. In a second incident, she said a golf course employee who was fired set up a tent behind her barn and lived there for three weeks while using her water source.
“I did speak with the golf course (owner), they know these situations have happened. I am afraid of this (new) building. There is a lot of activity late at night from parties. I hope you can understand my concern and that (the building) will not be a hangout,” Guarini told the board.
The board’s attorney, Ron Cucchiaro, said he would ask Howell’s zoning officer to investigate the situation Guarini mentioned about golf course employees living in two homes.
DiFolco said the planned buffer will adequately screen Guarini’s home from the new building.
The board’s tree professional, Shari Spero, agreed with the proposed landscape plan.
Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro, who sits on the board, said he believes the buffer that will be created by the club’s owner will enhance Guarini’s property. He said he viewed the buffer in a favorable light.
Board Chairman Paul Schneider and board members Arthur Fankhauser, Thomas Russo, Brian Tannenhaus, Kenneth French, Thomas Boyle and Nicastro voted to approve the application.
